umbrella over nato. i think there are some defining moments coming for europe relative to the future of nato and relative to the transatlantic relationship in dealing with this whole range of issues, going all across the south of europe. that will have a direct effect. it is a day of reckoning. i wish i could be more optimistic about it, but we all see what the fiscal constraints are and the austerity that is being imposed. they're going to literally have to come to the point where they have some tough decisions to make because the u.s. simply will not be there at the level and the presence and the protection that they used to and have relied on in the past. >> my name is mcfarland. >> nice to see you. >> thank you, center, from -- senator, for coming. you are on the energy and national -- natural resources committee also. we are continuing to send almost $400 billion a year overseas to buy oil, and your colleagues -- for a long time, has told us that the only time to be a cartel is through competition.